Philadelphia Eagles Notebook: New linebacker Williams wants to show he's special

Newly signed linebacker Jason Williams got a reminder when he asked the Eagles for No. 52.

When the Eagles countered with 57, Williams was reminded of the last guy to wear the number. Linebacker Adrian Moten lasted one game.

Williams, 26, is confident he can stick around longer.

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It’s been over a month since Williams (6-1, 244) was axed by the Panthers, the outfit he led in special teams tackles last year. The last time he was knocked off the horse, the Cowboys cut him three months into the 2010 season.

“To be 100 percent honest I didn’t totally buy into special teams until I got to Carolina,” Williams said of his landing spot after Dallas. “When I was in Dallas, I was a stubborn hard-headed rookie. When they released me it was kind of a learning experience. It humbled me a lot. Made me grow up a lot. When I got to Carolina it made me embrace the role completely.”

The Eagles need all of their players to embrace special teams roles going forward. They’ve made it clear they’ll shake up personnel to find the right guys by cutting Brian Rolle, who was No. 52, and Moten in consecutive weeks.

“I’m going to try and bring in guys, until we get it right, that can impact you on special teams,” head coach Andy Reid said. “We’ll give this kid an opportunity and see how he does.”

Kickoff coverage has been spotty. Except for Colt Anderson’s stop last week at the 8-yard line of the Steelers, the Eagles have played almost no kickoff coverage.

It should help to have Jordan back from a strained hamstring.

Reid said Jordan would start at weak side linebacker. Jordan said the Eagles also plan on him playing special teams.

This is a good week for the Eagles to get well on special teams.

The Lions have been gashed for four touchdowns on kick returns alone. In their last two games they’ve allowed three kickoff and one punt return score.

“Yes, we’ve been pounding that home,” Reid said. “We have to get better. The players know it and the coaches know it. We just have to do it now and we have to execute on fundamentals. We have to make sure that we’re putting guys where they need to be to execute the returns that you’re given. We haven’t done a good enough job there.”

NOTES: All of the Eagles practiced fully Wednesday, including DeSean Jackson, who had a leg and knee wrapped up. Demetress Bell will start his fourth straight game when the Eagles take on the Lions Sunday (1 p.m., Fox 29). Reid is 3-0 against the Lions, including 1-0 against counterpart Jim Schwartz, beating him, 35-32, two years ago in Detroit. Michael Vick threw for 284 yards, two TDs, no interceptions and a 108 passer rating. That proved to be the game that earned Vick the starting quarterback job.